BARB AND THE GHOST BLADE

A rumor that demonic foe Witch Head is about to unleash an evil army sends Barb and her band of fledgling Zerks to Maug Horn, a city of monsters, in search of help.

Though cutting off abruptly in midcrisis, this sequel to Barb the Last Berzerker (2021) is likewise loaded with action and wisecracks—not to mention a supporting cast of racially diverse humans and monsters armed with, among other things, a snot launcher; a bad guy who looks like a cross between an inflatable wavy tube man and a dinner fork; and a fierce young hero with a worthy mission (“Taking out BULLIES is our JAM!”), two magic swords, and a Wonder Woman–style tiara. Young readers will either roar with delight or possibly wish they could unsee one scene in which Barb rescues a falling ally in midair by grabbing the waistband of his shorts (“Side note: I thought the FULL MOON wasn’t until NEXT week”), and they’ll laugh at the ridiculous plot twists and applaud both her dedication to doing good and her reckless willingness to take on much bigger and stronger baddies. As with the previous volume, the fast-moving, vibrantly colored panels and humorous dialogue will keep readers turning pages.

More punches and punchlines in pursuit of truth, justice, and the Berzerker way.